Back to State: Returners From 1A DI Tourney Teams

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 1A classes graduated a lot of really good players from last season. In fact, only a handful of all-state players return from either of the smallest classes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As for the state tournament teams, champion Stafford returns just a couple of their key components – guards <strong>Hector Gomez</strong> and [player_tooltip player_id='2169878' first='Diego' last='Esparza']. Runner-up Wichita Classical brings back only senior <strong>Daniel Young</strong> from its rotation.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Arguably the best player from last year's tournament – South Gray's [player_tooltip player_id='1953933' first='Joey' last='Dyck'] – is back, as is Olpe's <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2387789' first='Blake' last='Skalsky']</strong>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There are just a few state tourney qualifying teams who return a good group of talent from last year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here are the three 1A state teams that return a significant portion of last year:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>LaCrosse – lost to Macksville in the first round in 2023:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Leopards bring back some remarkable size, including seniors [player_tooltip player_id='1953954' first='Caden' last='Morgan'] and <strong>Gage Burk</strong>, a couple of 6-foot-3 men who can do some of everything. Put them next to 6-foot-6 <strong>Logan Skillett</strong> and you've got a daunting front wall. With forward <strong>Conner Barriger</strong> also in the mix, you have a group who could own the boards. They should have balanced scoring, with Morgan stretching defenses from the perimeter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Elyria Christian - lost to Wichita Classical in the first round in 2023:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Eagles lose just one significant contributor, and have a chance to be balanced and talented. They are led by junior [player_tooltip player_id='1772994' first='Ty' last='Romero'], a guy with great length who can handle the ball and play just about any position. Senior <strong>Johnny Unruh</strong> is a productive guard who handles and distributes the ball, freeing up Romero. <strong>Alex Robertson</strong>, <strong>James Schott</strong> and <strong>Landon Schneider</strong> are good-sized, physical guys who can provide a lot of support after gaining great experience a year ago.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Clifton-Clyde - lost to South Gray in the first round in 2023:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Eagles also lose one key piece of last year's team, but bring back a bunch of talent. [player_tooltip player_id='1953948' first='Trent' last='Long'] is one of the team leaders, getting a lot of production from the guard spot. [player_tooltip player_id='2169850' first='Jack' last='Skocny'] (pictured) is a bigger, longer guard who also makes a ton of plays as a scorer, distributor and rebounder. <strong>Coy Steinbrock</strong> is a shooter who stretches defenses. <strong>Drayden Reed</strong>, at 6-foot-3, will have to step up on the front line. <strong>Payton Fahey</strong> and <strong>Oliver Nobert</strong> are also experienced returners.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->